Transcendence - 2014

Category: Movie

Genre: Sci-Fi / Mystery

Director: Wally Pfister

Writer: Jack Paglen

Producer: Alcon Entertainment, DMG Entertainment, Straight UP Films

Cast: Johnny Depp, Rebecca Hall, Paul Bettany, Cillian Murphy, Kate Mara, Cole Hauser, Morgan Freeman, Clifton Collins Jr. and more.

Tagline: Yesterday Dr. Will Caster was only human

A scientist by the name of Dr. Will Caster (Johnny Depp) in the field of Artificial Intelligence is working on creating a sentient machine that will combine the collective intelligence of everything with human emotions. He became famous with his experiments and made him susceptible from people who wanted to stop him. It took on dangerous implications when his consciousness was uploaded in one of his programs.

It's a good film to watch before or after the movie Lucy. Looks like movies of these kinds are getting popular nowadays. Consciousness.... and Singularity or Artificial Intelligence.  I didn't quiet expect the ending though... I was totally geared on the wrong side nyahahaha...
But I love how it turned out in the end..... True Love won...... T_T

Great acting and wonderful storyline.

Quotes:

Will Caster: For 130,000 years, our capacity to reason has remained unchanged. The combined intellect of the neuroscientists, mathematicians and... hackers... in this auditoirum pales in comparison to the most basic A.I. Once online, a sentient machine will quickly overcome the limits of biology. And in a short time, its analytic power will become greater than the collective intelligence of every person born in the history of the world. So imagine such an entity with a full range of human emotion. Even self-awareness. Some scientists refer to this as "the Singularity." I call it "Transcendence."

Lucy - 2014

Category: Movie

Genre:  Action / Sci-Fi / Thriller

Director: Luc Besson

Writer: Luc Besson

Producer: Canal +, Cine, EuropaCorp

Cast: Scarlett Johansson, Morgan Freeman, Min-Sik Choi, Amr Waked, Julian Rhind Tutt, Pilou Asbaek, Nicolas Phongpheth and more.

Tagline: She has the Power

A woman was supposed to do a very simple job. All Lucy needs to do was deliver a briefcase to a certain Mr. Jang. But almost immediately she was caught in a dark deal where she is captured and was being turned into a drug mule. But, then she turns the tables around and transforms into a warrior they've never seen before.

From it's trailer.. I deduced it to: "Ahhh not another limitless film". But, although the "drug" was similar ... this one's more scientific and intelligent. And it has a deep sense of perception when it comes to Time. I find it cool. Scarlett did a wonderful job portraying her character, from the hangover party-girlfriend of Richard, to a terrified blackmailed errand girl to becoming a hostage and a witness to barbaric and gruesome cold, calculated kills of that Asian Mafia ... to becoming Lucy - the one who is slowly colonizing her own brain... :) Perfect!

After Earth - 2013

Category: Movie

Genre: Action / Sci-Fi / Drama

Director: M. Night Shyamalan

Writer: Gary Whitta, M. Night Shyamalan

Producer: Columbia Pictures, Overbrook Entertainment, Blinding Edge Pictures

Cast: Jaden Smith, Will Smith, David Denman, Sophie Okonedo, Zoe Kravitz, Glenn Morshower, Kristofer Hivju, Sacha Dawan, and more

Tagline: Danger is real. Fear is a choice.


I didn't realise this was an M.Night Shymalan ... until I saw the credits... on the first opening scene! Wooot.

One thousand years after cataclysmic events forced humanity's escape from Earth, Nova Prime has become mankind's new home.  Cypher Raige returns from an extended duty to his family and ready to father his son, Kitai, but then a crash landing leaves Kitai Raige and Cypher stranded on Earth, a millennium after events forced humanity's escape. With Cypher injured, Kitai must embark on a perilous journey to signal for help.

I loved the film!

I first read about the film about an article saying this film's got something to do with Will Smith's dedication to Scientology. Well, it pretty much looks like it.

Scientology or not... it strikes a chord for us who just attended IkePono. This reminds me of the Pono battle. How to just connect with your pono, thus eliminating fear. Specially, the ending.

The kneeling part is one way of getting grounded, and being in touch with self and going back to Pono.

Also, it has elements of LES (Doc Andre's seminar), about staying in the present moment, becoming aware of everything around you. And a bit of a Peaceful Warrior. Elements of Workshop:Courage and Aletheia was also shown.

This is once again something about the future, yes, another apocalyptic view, about fathers and sons, childhood traumas, getting out of the box, relying on intuition, and well, pretty much the journey of the hero. :)

Photo source: HD Wallpapers

Mockingjay - Suzanne Collins

Category: Books

Genre: Sci-Fi

Author: Suzanne Collins


Once again, Katniss Everdeen, the girl on fire, has survived. Even though District 12 has been destroyed after the operations at the arena. Gale has escaped, while the family of Katniss remains safe and is heading for District 13. They do exist. Peeta was captured by the Capitol.

The success of the rebellion is on Katniss', and to accept responsibility and to be willing to save countless lives for the future of Panem.

Finally, I finished the whole trilogy!

But, the last book has this nagging effect on me. Is it separation anxiety? Or maybe because, I wanted something more? The Gale part at the end also nags me!!! Why, is there no flashback of Gale? :(( I know, it's all Katniss' side that we are reading. But, but, I would've wanted something more from Gale.

I didn't get to sleep when I finished reading the book though, because I was imagining Panem and all that still. This book, still manages to keep you on the edge, making you want to finish the whole book in one seating. I stayed until the wee hours of the morning, just to finish the whole thing.

And Alas! The Hunger Games is over and done with.

Photo Source: FVHS 

Rating: 4 & Half Stars

Catching Fire - Suzanne Collins

Category: Book

Genre: Sci-Fi

Author: Suzanne Collins


After Peeta and Katniss wins the 74th Hunger Games, they are now preparing for the Victory Tour. Where they will be touring each district until they reach the Capitol. However, Katniss' got a visit from President Snow who was not pleased with how the Games turned out. However, the Victory Tour is currently disturbing other districts and may even cause some rebellious outbreak which the Capitol has been keen on putting out.



I cried most of the time in this book! Gah. I just read the 2 books straight while I'm on a bed rest!! Which is actually good. Teehee.

I like the way it was written because of its utter simplicity yet vivid narrative and yet emotionally filled action scenes. It pierces your heart at exactly the right time and gives you shivers now and then.

I want to read book 3 already!!!!!

Hunger Games - Suzanne Collins

Category: Book

Genre: Sci-Fi / Drama / Dystopian / Adventure / Action

Author: Suzanne Collins


The Hunger Games is a dystopian novel for young adults. North America is now run by the powerful Capitol and is now divided into 12 districts (originally 13 but District 13 was destroyed), and is now called Panem. In the 12th District, there's Katniss Everdeen (16y/o) and Gale who hunts for a living. In order to keep the status quo and to remind the 12 Districts not to rebel, every year they hold a game of death, chosing 2 tributes per district via "draw". Katniss' sister was picked to be the tribute but then Katniss exercises her option to volunteer for the games. With Katniss comes Peeta, the baker's son.  Together, they must fend for themselves and survive.


I got hooked with reading this because it has an interesting plot. Although, it's something that is socially and  uhmmm morally not sound. The Hunger Games, I mean.

But, what I particularly liked about it was the love triangle between Gale, Katniss and Peeta. Can someone hand me at least a Gale or a Peeta? *giggles*

Anyway it was a breeze reading it. The author did not use any big words. It was simple but enough to give you the hand or play with imagination. The book tackled many things that can actually make people relate to: love, honor, freedom, rebellion, poverty, family, friendship and particularly survival. In the arena, you'd want to move from page to page since the suspense builds up and introduces many new creatures that came with technological evolution.

Anyway, this ain't something "intelligent", if you want to argue.. but it was successful enough to the audience it aimed for. And it's a good book to start or recommend if one wants to get into "reading". :)

Photo Source: NPR

Spaceballs - 1987

Category: Movie

Genre: Comedy / Adventure

Director: Mel Brooks

Writer: Mel Brooks,Thomas Meehan

Producer: Brooksfilms, Metro-Goldwyn Mayer (MGM)

Cast: Mel Brooks, John Candy, Rick Moranis, Bill Pullman, Daphne Zuniga, Dick Van Paten, George Wyner, Michael Winslow, Joan Rivers,

Tagline: May the schwartz be with you.

The King of Planet Druidia King Roland is getting his daughter Princess Vespa married to Prince Valium. However, Vespa is kidnapped by the evil race of the Spaceballs, in exchange for all the air of Druidia. The king offers a generous amount of money to Lone Starr a space rogue to save Vespa.

This is a Korny parody of the star wars. uhmmmmm not exactly that good.. but well..... if you just want to laugh or is reallly into star wars... welll you can endure this. But, I'm guessing some people opt for movies like this when you just want to laugh out loud.

Photo Source: Star Wars Wikia 

Ender's Game - Orson Scott Card

Category: Book

Genre: Sci-Fi

Author: Orson Scott Card


Set in Earth's future, humankind barely survived two conflicts with the "Buggers". A hostile alien race which protects its queen like ants does. In preparation for an anticipated third invasion by the Buggers, an international fleet maintains a school to find and train future fleet commanders. The world's most talented and brightest children, including Ender Wiggin are taken at a very young age to Battle School.



A good friend recommended this book to me. It's a rich and intelligent book and one that carries a  good storyline. It's actually not a hard read but is in fact engaging, despite how disturbing the relationships of the three Wiggins' siblings are.

A song was dedicated to this though.and it will be made into a film! :)

Photo Source: Good Reads

Cloud Atlas - 2012

Category: Movie

Genre: Drama / Mystery / Sci-Fi

Director: Tom Tyker, Andy Wachowski

Writer: David Mitchell, Lana Wachowski

Producer:
 
Cast: Tom Hanks, Halle Berry, Hugh Grant, Jim Broadbent, Hugo Weaving, Jim Sturgees, Doona Bae, Ben Whishaw, Keith David, James D'Arcy, Xun Zhou, David Gyasi, Susan Sarandon, Robert Fyfe, Martin Wuttke and more

Tagline: Everything Is Connected

This film is based on a novel by David Mitchell. It's an exploration of how each action of individual lives impacts one another in the past, present and future. Everything is indeed connected in this film.


It has been quiet sometime that I have waited to watch this film. When I saw the trailer... all i can say was: "I should not miss this! and I know this film will be epic!" True enough, it is indeed considered an epic... and one of the best films in 2012! It was even considered ambitious because the novel is supposed to be "unfilmable". But, they did it!!

I watched this with my whole family.

You should not blink when you are watching this. Each scene is equally important as it weaves through the whole story. Six stories are being interwoven to create the whole magical tapestry that is Cloud Atlas.  This film will take you anywhere, and you will find yourself in unexpected scenes, oftentimes delving to deja-vu.

It is visually stunning, the make-up were good although I'm sure the make-up artists had their own challenging moments by changing an actor's features to fit a certain race, age and era.

It was quiet gory, well not exactly too much, just a few disturbing scenes. The love affair between Somni and Keanu was the one I liked best. There's something about being protected... that makes me go ... swoonybeanoo.

Also, the musical score is one of the best. I loved the Cloud Atlas sextet.  As I am writing this the soundtrack is actually playing at the background.

Cloud Atlas is something different among other movies. It emanates creativity and a whole range of imagination. It's epic, and even layered and you'd be expecting most people to watch it again over and over. :) (I still have to read the novel though.. our local bookstores ran out of it... even before the movie was released. Gah! Maybe im settling with an ebook or whatever. )

Photo Source: David Belbin

Battleship - 2012

Category: Movie

Genre:  Action / Adventure / Sci-Fi

Director: Peter Berg

Writer: Jon Hoeber, Erich Hoeber

Producer: Universal Pictures, Hasbro, Bluegrass Films and more

Cast: Alexander Skarsgard, Brooklyn Decker, Liam Neeson, Taylor Kitsch, Rihanna, Tadanabo Asano, Hamish Linklater, Peter Macnicol, John Tui, Gregory D. Gadson and more

Tagline: The Battle for Earth Begins at Sea

 An international fleet of ships comes across and is forced to do battle with an alien armada while on a Naval war games exercise. An intense battle is being fought on sea, land and air.


I enjoyed how everything ended. Watched it with the whole household and we all had a grand time. I think watching movies like these with people you love and enjoy to be with plays a part. Great effects! It has an "okay" character build-up because one gets so attached and affected with a certain character. Scream worthy too! :)

But, of course, it's not an intelligent film and many things does not actually make sense. So, if you are someone who is picky with movies and comes in with many expectations you'd be disappointed.

Photo Source: Collider

 

Battle Los Angeles - 2011

Category: Movie

Genre: Sci -Fi / Action

Director: Jonatahan Liebesman

Writer: Christopher Bertolini

Producer: Columbia Pictures, Relativity Media, Original Film

Cast: Aaron Eckhart, Michelle Rodriguez,Bridget Moynahan, Will Rothhaar, Cory Hardrict, Jim Parrack, Gino Anthony Pesi and more.

Tagline: It's not war. It's survival.

Los Angeles and other major cities around the world are being invaded by aliens disguised as meteors, that began killing everybody along the beach. The military is ordered into action, and marine staff sergeant Nantz (Aaron Eckhart), were sent on a mission to rescue some civilians trapped in the police station. And they only have 3 hours to complete the mission before Air Force bombs the area.


Wow 2 "Aaron Eckhart" films in a row? Didn't anticipate that. Haha.

Ehmmm... well... not exactly that great. I hate to say it was that bad.... but.....dot dot dot.

Character development was quiet vague. And it was like, it was so slow at the beginning and then all these meteors started coming out and the action begins right away as aliens started shooting people. It's something you can easily forget... or remember because it was that bad? :P

Photo Source: Impa

Predators - 2010

Category: Movie

Genre: Action / Adventure / Sci-Fi

Writer: Alex Litvak, Michael Finch,

Director: Nimrod Antal

Producer: Twentieth Century Fox

Cast: Adrien Brody, Laurence Fishburne, Topher Grace, Alice Braga, Walton Goggins, Oleg Taktarov, Danny Trejo and more.

Tagline: The most dangerous killers on the planet... but this is not our planet.

8 men(woman)  of different backgrounds, a mercenary, a military, a soldier, a criminal, a militia, a drug lord, a yakuza and a doctor, finds themselves waking up after a free fall in an unknown jungle. Walking around the jungle, they discover that they are on a different planet and that they are prey of of merciless aliens called Predators in a deadly hunting game.

Well, I never expected to be quite taken with the film. Well, not exactly taken... but you know, I kind of enjoyed the unexpected turn around in the end. And here I am, thinking I'd know which is which. For some parts, I did, but then I never expected the end. ;) If you know what I mean.

Anyway, effects, was good. Cinematography, is great. It moves in an exhilarating pace. There's good enough reason, they never showed those effin predators at the beginning, because it added up to the whole thrill of it. Played on people's fears, "the unknown".
I did guessed who would be left after the film would be over. (favorite game i play, whenever I watch something).

I know a lot are disappointed because they were pre-judging it over the previous "Predator" film. But, i feel it's a good re-imagining of the film. Of course, the original may deem to be better. But, this one can stand on its own as well - for me. :)

Photo Source: Teaser Trailer

Matrix Revolutions - 2003

 Category: Movie

Genre: Action / Adventure / Sci-Fi

Director: Andy Wachowski, Lana Wachowski

Writer: Andy Wachowski, Lana Wachowski

Producer: Warner Bros. Pictures, Village Roadshow Pictures

Cast: Keanu Reeves, Laurence Fishburne, Carrie-Anne Moss, Mary Alice, Helmut Bakaitis, Monica Bellucci, Ian Bliss, David Bowers and more

Tagline:  Everything that has a beginning has an end.

 The human city of Zion is now preparing to defend itself against the oncoming massive invasion of the machines and the chances of surviving is nil. While Neo on the other hand fights to end the war at a different level while he opposes Agent Smith.

Choices and Beliefs was the message. Matrix sure is one layered film, there are references of the one, and symbolism used in the film splashed all over. It was quite a good way to end, and this part showed more action and keeps you on the edge. Eeep. Flesh vs. Machines? Eeeeep. Anyhoo, film wise, it has good special effects.

photo source: Matrix Fans

The Matrix Reloaded - 2003

Category: Movie

Genre: Sci-Fi / Thriller

Director: Andy Wachowski, Lana Wachowski

Writer: Andy Wachowski, Lana Wachowski

Producer: Warner Bros. Picture, Village Roadshow Pictures, Silver Pictures

Cast: Keanu Reeves, Laurence Fishbourne, Ray Anthony, Christine Anu,

Tagline:Free Your Mind



Six months after The Matrix, Neo has been proving that he is The One to the humans in Zion(The Resistance). Neo has discovered many of his superpowers. But, they will be facing a larger battle when they found out that 250,000 machine sentinels are digging and heading towards Zion and will reach them in 72 hours.


Not as profound as the first one... but a good continuation nevertheless with a cliffhanger ending... or I did not just watch it a couple of times to really see behind the layers. Matrix seems like a story of birth while Reloaded could refer to re-birth/death and revolutions.It was still good... but I need to watch it a second time to delve into the story.

Photo Source: EnglishMovie

Matrix - 1999

Category: Movie

Genre: Epic / Thriller / Sci-Fi

Director: Andy Wachowski, Lana Wachowski

Writer: Andy Wachowski, Lana Wachowski

Producer: Warner Bros. Pictures, Village Roadshow Pictures

Cast: Keanu Reeves, Laurence Fishburne, Carrie-Anne Moss, Hugo Weaving, Gloria Foster, Joe Pantoliano, Marcus Chong, and more

Tagline: The Future isn't User Friendly

A computer hacker named Thomas A. Anderson and who goes by the name Neo(Keanu Reeves), learns from mysterious rebels about the true nature of his reality and his role in the war against its controllers.He has always questioned reality but then the truth is far beyond what he imagines.

Morpheus, a legendary computer hacker who was branded a terrorist by the government began to initiate contact with him and the FBI was suddenly after him. Morpheus begins to awakens Neo to the real world.... and there the journey begins...

This is probably my 3rd time to watch the film. And it's amazing how you can watch the Matrix from many different levels:

1.) as a guns and technological movie (or sci-fi)
2.) as something about a Messiah in a religious point of view.
3.) or a metaphor of how we all see through the veils of illusion

and many different levels one can see... but so far, that's how I saw it. It's pretty similar to our Workshop:Courage the concept of taking the red pill or the blue pill and there's no turning back. Every journey begins with a Question... and it's what started his Quest.

Classic. Epic. Everytime you watch it, something is always revealed that wasn't there before. Effects, acting... plot... ahhh everything is just so right.

If you haven't watched at least once... then you are missing out one of the best sci-fi films ever! :)

Photo Source: Freewebs

Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen

Category: Movie

Genre: Sci-Fi

Writer: Ehren Kruger, Roberto Orci

Director: Michael Bay

Producer: Dreamworks SKG, Paramount Pictures


Cast: Shia LaBeouf, Megan Fox, Josh Duhamel, Tyrese Gibson, John Turturro, Ramon Rodriguez, Kevin Dunn, Julie White, Isabel Lucas, John Benjamin Hickey, Matthew Marsden, Andrew Howard and more.

Tagline: Only one team will transform your summer

Sam Witwicky(Shia LaBeouf) leaves the Autobots behind for a normal college life. The Decepticons once again makes trouble in Shanghai, and Sam begins to see some symbols and glyphs imprinted on his mind. Decepticons knows about this and hunts for Sam.


I thought I saw this part, but was surprised I didn't get to watch this part. Also, I can't find my review for the first part of this film. I love the soundtrack! I enjoyed it. Although, there was too much metal and believe me it wasn't eye candy but then the action scenes got me till the end. The thing that was kind of off was the romance part... it just wasn't working.

Well, whatdya say,... I just love em Transformers! :)

Photo Source: English Moviez

John Carter - 2012

Category: Movie

Genre: Adventure / Fantasy / Action

Writer: Andrew Stanton

Director: Andrew Stanton

Producer: Walt Disney Pictures

Cast: Taylor Kitsch,Lynn Collins, Willem Dafoe, Samantha Morton, Thomas Haden Church, Mark Strong, Claran Hinds, Dominic West, James Purefoy, Bryan Cranston, Polly Walker, and more

Tagline: Lost in Our World. Found in Another.

A Civil War veteran named John Carter, was trying to escape and is being pursued by the army. Got into a battle with Indians. Carter then seeks refuge in a cave, and saw someone holding a medallion and when Carter got around to touching it, he finds himself transplanted to MARS. Founds himself a prisoner of 12foot tall beings, and when he tries to escapes, he encounters a princess who needed someone to save her community.

It was quite dragging at the beginning, but turned out interesting by the middle of the movie. I would've dropped it at the first few scenes, but I pushed through. and good thing, I did! I learned that it was an adaptation or inspired by the book Princess of Mars by Edgar Rice Burroughs. Cool, right? 

 I feel that the setting is unique, what with all the Mars*Barsoom* thing in the picture. It was also comedic in some parts, which reminds me of Pirates of the Caribbean. :) And while reviewing this, it just made me realized that it's a Disney film! so much for the reference, right? It's a mix of Star Wars (weird beings), Indiana Jones (the first few scenes), a bit of Avatar, Prince of Persia and yeah, Pirates of the Caribbean (for the funny scenes). Great CGI too.

Anyway, its a good film to watch, despite it's bad critic for people who judged before watching the film. It's a good layered film, with a love story thrown between a Princess of Helium and an Earthling, coupled with some emotional and other funny scenes. It's simple, so don't overthink the whole movie, okayyy?

In short, I had a blast as I was transported to the Red Planet, Barsoom. :)

Photo Source: www.blogcdn.com

Source Code - 2011

Category: Movie

Genre: Sci-Fi / Thriller / Mystery

Director: Duncan Jones

Writer: Ben Ripley

Producer: Vendome Pictures, The Mark Gordon Company

Cast: Jake Gyllenhaal, Michelle Monaghan, Vera Farmiga, Jeffrey Wright, Michael Arden, Cas Anvar, Russell Peters, Brent Skagford and more

Tagline: Make every second count


An action thriller about a soldier named Colter Stevens, a US Army helicopter pilot, who wakes up in the body of a man named Sean Fentress and then discovers he is part of a mission to find the bomber of a Chicago commuter train.

Great unique storyline, even though the scenes were like cooped up in one scene in a train, it gives room for creativity for the makers because they have to come up with something new for each scene and make it interesting and unique despite it's "same-ness".  It keeps you on the edge, and it's like you are discovering something with Jake Gylenhaal in this film. Great acting, and the tandem of the Gyllenhaal and Monaghan here is fresh as well.

Great great great film. :)

The Time Machine - H.G. Wells

Category: Books

Genre: Classic / Sci-Fi

Author: H.G. Wells

The story is about an English Scientist and Inventor in Richmond, Surrey, and was named by the author as the "Time Traveller".

I can't believe these geniuses can think of things like this during his time?! Well, that's what makes them a classic! :) This plays with your imagination. I think kids should read this too.... before watching all the films. It will be much more powerful.

What is interesting to note how Wells, managed to play the idea of how humanity can go to extremes. And interestingly how it can be a hideous reality if not taken seriously. Uh oh Technological Singularity, anyone? Deffo not.

Photo Source: visheshunni

Limitless - 2011

Category: Movie

Genre: Sci-Fi

Writer: Leslie Dixon and Alan Glynn

Director: Neil Burger

Producer: Relativity Media, Virgin Produced, Rogue

Cast: Bradley Cooper, Robert de Niro, Abbie Cornish, Andrew Howard, Anna Friel, Johnny Whitworth, Tomas Arana, Robert John Burke and more

Tagline: What if a pill could make you rich and powerful?

This is about a desperate writer Eddie named Morra (Cooper), who was rejected by his girlfriend Lindy (Abbie Cornish) and confirms his belief about himself about not having a future. One day an old friend introduces to him an experimental drug called NZT, that allows him to be laser focused and more confident than any man alive and allows him to use 100 percent of his mind. As he becomes into the perfect version of himself, and begins to rise in the top of the financial world, he begins to draw the attention of Carl Van Loon (De Niro), a business mogul.

I was actually intrigued by the concept, a pill that can allow you to tap the untapped potential of the human brain. Of course, the ideal way would be achieving it through Self Mastery.... but then in a very Western way of thinking, they would always come up with a "pill solution" for everything. It's quite thrilling but it could use room for some improvement here and there and it would be a spectacular blockbuster! :) But, nevertheless, it was a good concept and I enjoyed it. :)